When war started, I went to work for Woods Engineering works in Denmark Street. The tuition for lathe work was given at the Girls' High School on North Hill for six weeks. I did this which was for me my little bit of help for the men who had to go to war. The town was fortunate to be covered in trees in places - we did hear raids but there was an air-raid shelter available - very useful.

When I was at work in Woods it was mostly night work. One night I heard an air-raid and I was concerned for my family so I made the dash to go home against the advice of the foreman. I made a dash and got as far as the Post Office in Head Street. I stopped to get my breath back then heard a huge crash, turned round to see the whole of St. Botolph's Corner flying through the air. It didn't take me long to get home to Mile End Road. There was bits and pieces falling all over the place but found my family safe in the shelter at the bottom of the garden.

Some time later I was in Mile End Road and I watched a German plane fly past and saw it drop a bomb which destroyed Mason's Factory on the bypass. That plane was brought down on the coast by the R.O.C. They did a good job.

I kept on with the night work until the war ended. When the news came through the machines were all stopped and the whole place was silent. Then all us girls cheered and said 'thank God for that'. We all celebrated the next night.

I liked the work very much but was glad to move out when the men who survived could come back and carry on with their working lives.